Top Ten Bookish Worlds I’d Love to Live In

Welcome back to another Top Ten Tuesday! I’ve been out of town for the last three weeks and had pre-scheduled those last three topics to go up while I was gone. So even though it looked like I was here, I wasn’t! I really missed discussing the weekly topics with all of you, so I’m happy to be back home now and have the time to do that again!

This week’s topic is Bookish Worlds I’d Want to/Never Want to Live In. I’m the kind of reader who loves to immerse themselves in whatever world my books take place in. I always find myself having more fun doing that in fantasy or dystopian novels than any other kind of book because those worlds are usually magical and/or exciting. I wrote about the top ten worlds I’d never want to live in back in 2014, so today I’m going to share with you the worlds I’d actually really love living in. The links will take you to my review.

1. Whistling Tor in Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier
The Tor is mysterious and mystical and atmospheric. It is home to beings trapped between life and death, and a pretty swoony man as well. There’s lots of little rooms and nooks and crannies to explore.

2. The Night Court inA Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Anywhere Rhysand goes, I go. But seriously, the Night Court and the secret, beautiful city of Velaris sound so perfect and magical. It sounds so dreamlike and enchanting. And the people that live there are wonderful.

3. Enchanted St. Petersburg in The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye
The Crown’s Game is about two enchanters who must battle one another through a series of magical tasks to ensure that the son of the Tsar has a memorable birthday. The winner becomes the royal enchanter, and the loser dies. The battle begins, and the beauty and opulence that encompasses St. Petersburg as a result of this magic is amazing. I absolutely must mention the intricate system of fountains and color-changing lights that fill the city’s canal system. That entire scene was beautiful, and is still my favorite in the entire book.

4. The city of Celestrus in Of Sea and Stone by Kate Avery Ellison
This city has, what I can only describe to be, glass spheres that are suspended in the water. Each sphere is a library dedicated to each of the different cities of Itlantis. You can see sea life swimming by and light from the surface dancing. The libraries are filled with books, foliage, sculpture, fountains, and walkways. I’d LOVE to visit!

5. Albion in Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White
I love this place called Albion. It seems to be kind of a conglomeration of the Regency era in England and historic New York City. There were times I felt like I was sitting in Central Park, and there were times when I felt like I was sitting in an Austen-esque sitting room with lavish couches and tea on the table.

6. Venisia in What Is Hidden by Lauren Skidmore
This city is basically Venice, but not. There are canals and water taxis, though, and any book that takes me to Venice or a Venice-like place is welcome on my shelves. The descriptions of the scenery in this book are beautiful.

7. Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
I’m still reading my way through these books and am currently on Chamber of Secrets. But I’ve already fallen in love with the magical school of Hogwarts and the students and professors that live and learn there.

8. Marin in Captivate by Vanessa Garden
I think maybe I like underwater worlds… Marin is a gorgeous and colorful and sparkling city on the ocean floor. The city has rivers and gondolas and a modern colosseum where people go to watch criminals get thrown to the sharks in a big aquarium-like tank. When they look up to the sky they see the ocean instead. Their world is lit and warmed by light crystals that sparkle, and oxygen is brought down to them through air shafts. There’s a garden and a park with real grass. I could go on and on. I’m in love with this place.

9. The futuristic Russia in Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
My absolute favorite thing about Shadow and Bone is the world Leigh created for us. I love all of it, from its setting in futuristic Russia, to the elaborate keftas, to the mysterious Shadow Fold (a dark and barren wasteland filled with volcra, which I swear are some kind of dragon on steroids), and all the awesome talents of the Grisha. This world is complicated and complex with its own language. It’s amazing.

10. Atlantia in Atlantia by Ally Condie
Atlantia is a beautiful, self-sustaining, world under the sea that actually sounds a lot like Venice. They have canals and gondolas, and the city is colorful with lots of shops and places to visit. There’s a market in the depths of the city, plus an arena for after-curfew swimming competitions. Basically, the city is unique and very fun to read about.

Which worlds would you love to live in?Did you choose to showcase worlds you’d like to or never like to live in this week?

Harry Potter and A Court of Thorns and Roses made mine too! They’re so awesome. I still haven’t read The Crown’s Game or Shadow and Bone, but I’ve really been dying to. I’m glad their universes are made the list!!Loretta @ TheLaughing Listener recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: The Best & Worst Worlds

Fantasy novels really weren’t required this week, but I’m glad you made it work for you! No matter the book, an author takes the setting and makes it their own. I’d love to live in the NYC I read about in this adorable Christmas novel last year because the author made it sound so cute! Always feel free to tweak the weekly topics to make them work for you. :)

Hi, I’m Jana!

I’m a 30-something graphic designer, singer, book lover, avid world traveler, cat whisperer, whale watcher, and art enthusiast. I live in the snowy Rocky Mountains, have an unhealthy obsession with soft blankets, and have been known to toss my book aside in favor of binging shows on Netflix.